Tummy Tuck: Stories

I'm 9 weeks post op and have a small bulge above only small part of incisions and dr says its swelling ! We don't realize how long it takes to really heal and for all swelling to come
Down! My bulge is still numb and kinda hard . Are you massaging your tummy? Helps a lot with the lumps and bumps' your so early In your recovery! Im sure it's just swelling !! Hope I could help ease your mind!! And btw you look great ! Even w swelling !!

Slow down girlie.  Your body needs rest in  order to heal.

As far as thee puss and stitch popping out don't stress yet.   I had four different areas on my incision line where this happened.  My last area was at three months post op.  Crazy right...

I would notice a red bump and then within a day the end of a stitch would pop out.  The first time this happened I freaked and ran into the doctor.  The nurse pulled the stitch out and placed antibiotic ointment on the area.  It healed up in a couple of days and was fine.

The 2, 3rd stitches I just pulled out myself and cleaned with hydrogen peroxide.  The holes closed up in a day.  Then the fourth eruption I went back into the doctor.  This one was a biggie!!!  It was at the end of the suture line and it was the entire suture knot trying to push through the skin.  My body just spits these things out.  The nurse pulled the knot out and put more ointment on it.   Never had any infection even though puss did come out.

Keep an eye on this and if it starts to get super red and you have yellow stinky puss get back to the doctor.  

So many women have this happen with stitches.  Doctor knows best though:)

If only the stupid chores would let up and let you heal. I hope you can take it easier tomorrow.

Glad to hear you're feeling well! That itching was horrible. You look great!

Oooh no! Itching is the WORST! Does it feel like it's sort of inside your skin, or outside? Here's what some doctors have to say about itching on the inside.

Have you contacted your surgeon about this? You should ask if it'd be okay to put hydrocortisone where it itches. I really have no idea if this is okay, so do ask.

I can tell you that what has helped me when I've been itchy beyond anything imaginable is cold. Ice packs work.

Hope this helps at least a little. Please let us know how you're doing with your extreme itchies!

Sounds exactly like what happend to me. Have you washed the areas really well ? Make sure any tape residue is washed away and take cool shower ... Hot will make it worse . And use the cortisone cream. That should help till u c ps tues

hey i had a crazy allergic reaction to all the tape and had hives and horrible rash all over my tummy and boobs...your problem doesnt sound nearly as bad as i mine but i will tell you what my dr did for me ...cleaned area w baby shampoo and applied hydrocortizone cream like 5 times a day when i felt like scratching i put more on..also he gave me a cortizone shot which really did nothing..also took benadryl round the clock..and then finally when it wasnt getting better he put me on a steriod (pill ) and that finally helped and cleared it all up but was horrible..i sware the itch was worse then the pain!! so hopefully just putting some cream on will help you just dont get it on the incision.!!! hope i could help! and whatever you do dont scratch! i did and it made it so much worse...

The lipo is VERY uncomfortable/painful. Are you staying on top of your pain killers? If you don't want to take narcotic pain killers, at least take tylenol. Hang in there, it will get better.

Hey BluEyez, hang in there! I agree, the lipo seems to cause the most pain .... Maybe you could give your ps a call?

Hi BluEyez & Congrats on making it to the other side!

Hi BluEyez, you may need a laxative as well. I had my surgery on Tues, Aug 30 and finally had my first BM on Saturday at 3:00 am. It was almost 4 days for me which seems to be about what it is for a lot us. I was taking a pill that was a laxative and stool softener together. The pharmacist recommended it. On Friday morning, Sept. 2, I had my first post-op with my PS and the nurse suggested I try taking Miralax. It is a powder that you add to any liquid. I had a small glass of low calorie gatorade and put the miralax in that around dinner time on that Friday. I then woke up around 2:45 am feeling like I might be able to go. I went in the bathroom and just sat there and just let my body work. It took about 20 minutes but I just relaxed and vavoom, I had my first post-op BM. I had absolutely no pain with it and boy did I feel so much better.

I also highly recommend you take the percocets faithfully. I took two every 4 hours for the first three days and had no pain. I slept and rested very comfortably. The key is to stay ahead of the pain. Don't let it get bad because then it's hard to get it under control. I then started taking ES tylenol during the day and percocet at night. I was off the percocets pretty fast but once in a while I needed one. My doctor gave me 20 but I didn't need them all.

I'm 3 1/2 weeks post-op right now and even with all the swelling, I'm thrilled. I can't even imagine what I'm going to look like when all the swelling is finally gone.

Good luck to you and congratulations!

Blu Eyez, 2 more sleeps :) Wishing you lots of luck for your surgery. You are going to love your new flat tummy. Look after yourself and keep us posted on your recovery.

Hi BluEyez,
I'm having my surgery the day after you! If you look at my pics, we actually look very similar!
Getting so close...so excited!

BeyondBusyMomma,

OMG thank you sooooooo much for all the info!! It is really appreciated.
I would love a copy of all the info. I have never hade to watch what to eat until now and honeslty I don't know much about it.
Once again, thanks

Girl! I have an underactive thyroid and it seems like it took awhile to get it under control! When it got out of whack, I had a rapid weight gain of about 30 pounds and another 60+ pounds with my first pregnancy! Its a tricky thing! I've been there with the weight gain, pregnancy, weight loss, repeat, & repeat!

I hate diets and really feel strongly about it being a lifestyle change. There's not just one thing that needs to happen to lose weight, it's a consistent balance of several things. 10 lbs in just over a month is certainly attainable!

My best advice for weight loss is to be calorie aware. Write down what you eat and tally up your cals. To lose weight have you to burn more calories than you consume. Depending on your age, weight and activity level the cals you need daily vary.

Eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks a day. This takes planning, but being mindful of how you're fueling your body is worth it! Eat an early dinner and don't make it your "heaviest" meal of the day. If I need to knock down a pound or two, I won't eat anything after 6-7:00. I love a protein smoothie as a meal replacement. I'll mix ice, fatfree yogurt, protein powder, almond milk, sugar free jello, phsillium husks (this is fiber! has no taste and a pulp-like texture but blended with ice, I don't notice it at all!) This is around 300 cals, at least 30 grams of protein and super filling!

Water!Water!Water! Drink water! I love all the flavor stuff like Crystal Light and Mio to jazz it up. Lemon is a natuaral diuretic (sp?) and is great to add with some Stevia.

You have to get your workouts in to burn it off! If you do workout regularly and are not getting results, crank up the intensity and add extra time spent! Try a few different classes at a gym. Our bodies do get conditioned to the repetitive activities we do, so switch it up!

Don't forget to rest!


Last year when I was working hard to lose the last 10 pounds, I doubled up my workouts. Instead of one class, I'd do two. I wasn't doing the same two things everyday. It'd be running and yoga, step class and weights, or Zumba and Pilates, etc., etc.! Find something you love to do, and don't be afraid to try something new! You just might find a new challenging passion!

I have a copy of a really great resource that I received with a well known workout video set. For me its been the most straight forward information to help me get results. Pretty much it's what I have said in the above, but with more detail, esp about the calorie stuff. If you'd like a copy, let me know.
Best of Luck to you! Set your goal, make a plan, and get it done!!

BluEyez,

To lose the weight, I recommend eating moderate portions of protein, veggies and fruit only. In addition you'll need to walk 1 hour a day at least 5 days a week. If you can't manage an hour at one time, do 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening. Good luck, you are going to look fabulous!

OMG give Weight Watchers a try.  I lost all my weight on that program and loved it.  

Also hit the gym 5 days a week with a 50/50 mix of cardio and weights.  You can do this!!